Wind turbine for electric car

ABSTRACT

A system for harnessing wind energy to charge the electric storage battery of a vehicle, whether the vehicle is parked or in motion. While the vehicle is being driven, a roof-mounted, internal wind turbine harnesses wind energy and causes rotation of the shaft of an electric generator mounted to an interior surface of the roof. For charging the battery while the vehicle is parked, an external wind turbine is storable in the vehicle when not in use and attaches to the internal wind turbine. Cups of the kind used in cup anemometers are attached to radial arms that extend from an external shaft of the external wind turbine and catch ambient wind currents while the vehicle is parked, causing the external shaft and the generator shaft to rotate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application is a continuation in part of co-owned prior filedapplications entitled “Wind Turbine for Electric Car” of Peter W.Ripley, the sole owner and inventor of application Ser. No. 13/506,733,filed 14 May 2012 and granted as U.S. Pat. No. 8,513,828, and Ser. No.13/986,792, filed 5 Jun. 2013 and granted as U.S. Pat. No. 9,428,061,which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to devices for charging an electricbattery of a motorized vehicle, and more particularly to devices forharnessing wind energy to charge an electric battery of an electric car.

Background Art

As used here, the term “electric car,” “hybrid electric,” “hybridgas/electric,” “all electric motor,” and “all-electric vehicle” and“hybrid motor vehicle” refers to any motor vehicle that is poweredsubstantially, in-part, and/or exclusively by an electric drive train.Hybrid motor vehicles with a drive train powered by an internalcombustion engine in combination with one or more electric motors arenow common on our streets and highways, but public acceptance ofall-electric vehicles has been relatively slow. The slow acceptance ofall-electric vehicles is largely due to the limited driving range suchvehicles are currently capable of on a single charge of their electricstorage batteries.

In addition, currently, there are relatively few places accessible tothe public for recharging the batteries of an all-electric vehiclecompared to the number of gasoline and diesel refueling stations.Further, the time required to recharge the batteries is significantlylonger than the time required to fill the fuel tank of a vehicle thatruns on gasoline or diesel fuel. Driving an all-electric vehicle beyondits rated driving range and to a location that lacks suitable batterycharging facilities would likely mean incurring the time and expense fortow truck assistance before the driver could be underway again.

To address these challenges for electric and hybrid motor vehicles, andto promote public acceptance of battery-powered hybrid and all-electriccars and vehicles, it would be desirable to harness wind energy to helpmaintain some of the charge in the electric storage battery of all typesof vehicles having one or more batteries, including for example hybridgas/electric vehicles, electric cars, and all-electric vehicles, whilethe vehicle is being driven, as well as to charge the battery byharnessing wind energy while the vehicle is parked.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,886,669 B2 discloses a method for harnessing wind energyto charge a system battery that powered a limited number of electroniccomponents of a stationary locomotive after engine shut down or whilethe locomotive coasts under gravity with its engine shut down. Thosecomponents can include lights and on-board monitoring and displaysystems of the locomotive.

This method also describes an electric device, such as a motor thatcould be run in an electrical generator mode. The motor can be coupledto an airflow device rotatable by ambient air flow. A controller is alsoincluded to activate the airflow device and generator when some minimumrotational speed of the airflow device occurs. For instance, the airflowdevice can be fan blades driven by the electric device to providecooling. The airflow device can also harness ambient wind energy todrive the electric device to generate electricity for the electroniccomponents or battery charging.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,828,091 B2 discloses an all-electric vehicle having aninternal wind turbine generator mounted in the nose of the vehicle. Thegenerator uses compressed air and a high voltage battery to generateelectricity to power the DC motors that drove the vehicle. Whenavailable wind energy was inadequate, compressed air stored in one ormore air tanks is required to drive an air motor coupled to an electricgenerator to generate electricity, which recharges the electric batteryand/or powers the DC motors.

The devices known in this technical field have been limited for use tospecialized electric vehicle applications, and have not been able toefficiently harvest wind energy for use with more commonly availableelectric vehicles, such as electric automobiles. For example, the deviceused with locomotives employs wind devices that are not suitable for usewith electric automobiles because of the need to be integrated intoexisting blowers, or which must protrude outside the locomotive.

The wind turbine generator variant is designed to be mounted about afront end of what appears to be the electric motor of an automobile, andis not suited for efficient harvesting of wind energy passing around thevehicle. Either of these types of systems require a high level oftechnical expertise and knowledge of the host vehicle to incorporate,maintain, repair, and/or upgrade the electricity generation capability.

New methods and devices are needed to more efficiently harvest energyfrom an airstream to generate electricity for use with electricvehicles. Also needed are devices that are less complex, and which arenot limited to use in specialized applications. What is needed aredevices that can be adapted for use with a wider range of electricvehicles, especially consumer automotive vehicles. It would also beadvantageous if wind energy harvesting methods and systems wereavailable that are usable by users who may not have very advancedtechnical training and knowledge of how to install, maintain, andoperate such methods and devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system for charging an electric storagebattery of an electric motor vehicle such as an automobile. In oneconfiguration, the system efficiently harvests wind energy from theairstream moving across a vehicle roof during forward motion. In otherarrangements, the system uses attachments to harvest wind energy whenthe vehicle is stationary. In all variations, the system is adapted tomount conformally about the roof of the vehicle without substantialalterations thereto.

Additionally, the system incorporates easily serviceable configurationsenabling electric vehicle operators to maintain, upgrade, and operatethe system without the need for a high level of technical knowledge,training, and expertise.

The charging system includes a first wind turbine internally arrangedwithin a housing, which is mounted to the roof of the vehicle. Theinternal wind turbine is intended to provide electric current charge tothe vehicle's electric storage battery while the vehicle is in motion.

The invention further includes a second, external wind turbine that alsomounts to the internal first turbine assembly and/or the roof exterior.The second wind turbine enables electric current charge to the vehicle'selectric storage battery while the vehicle is stationary or parked. Theterm “external” here signifies that the second, external wind turbine,is external to both the vehicle and the housing of the first internalwind turbine.

The internal wind turbine housing includes a bottom panel that extendsacross and attaches to the roof of the vehicle from a front end to anopposite rear end. The bottom panel is dimensioned and contoured toconformally overlie the vehicle roof, and includes a through hole thataligns with a hole in the vehicle roof. In other arrangements, theinternal wind turbine may be mounted about the roof of the vehiclewithout the bottom panel, wherein the vehicle roof serves as the bottompanel.

The housing further includes an air inlet opening that overlies thefront end of the bottom panel (or vehicle roof being used in place ofthe bottom panel), an air outlet opening that overlies the rear end ofthe bottom panel, and an air flow corridor attached to the bottom panelthat extends between, and joins, the air inlet and outlet openings. Theair flow corridor comprises an entryway portion in communication withthe air inlet opening, a discharge portion in communication with the airoutlet opening, and a central portion that communicates with theentryway and discharge portions.

The entryway portion is contoured to conduct air entering the inletopening while the vehicle is in forward motion toward the centralportion. The central portion is contoured to conduct air around theinternal wind turbine. The discharge portion receives the air from thecentral portion and conducts or communicates the air to the air outletopening.

The internal wind turbine further includes a turbine blade assemblydisposed within the central portion of the air flow corridor. Theturbine blade assembly includes a hub that extends axially along aturbine shaft axis from a first, lower end to a second, upper endthereof and is rotatable about the axis. A plurality of turbine bladesare distributed about the periphery of the hub, extending radially awayfrom the hub normal to the turbine shaft axis. Each turbine blade alsopreferably has a weighted blade tip.

During operation of the internal wind turbine, the weighted tipsincrease the angular moment of inertia of the wind turbine. Theincreased moment of inertia stabilizes or manages the angular momentumof the spinning internal wind turbine to counteract buffeting andturbulence resulting from changes in air moving through the turbine.

The internal wind turbine also includes electric generator means, whichincludes an electric generator; means for attaching the electricgenerator to an inside surface of the roof of the vehicle; and means forcoupling the shaft of the electric generator to the hub of the turbineblade assembly. The first wind turbine further includes a lid thatextends longitudinally from a front end to an opposite rear end thereof.The electric generator may be and or include one or more or at least onegenerator, alternator, dynamo, and or magneto, which may be used aloneand in any combination.

The front end of the lid is pivotally attached to a front portion of thehousing such that the lid is pivotable between a lowered,housing-covering position and a raised, open position. In its loweredposition, the lid, in combination with the corridor, bottom panel andseal means, forms a closed compartment surrounding the turbine bladeassembly, except for the air inlet and air outlet openings.

The internal wind turbine further includes locking means attachable to arear end of the lid and to a rear portion of the vehicle for alternatelysecuring the lid in a lowered, closed position and releasing the lid toa raised position. The turbine blade assembly may be removed from thehousing to replace damaged blades, to clean the housing, and to remove,replace, service, and upgrade any of the electric generator components,including the one or more alternator, dynamo, and or magneto.

To facilitate removal of the turbine blade assembly from the housing,the means for coupling the shaft of the electric generator to the hub ofthe turbine blade assembly preferably includes an adaptor withradially-directed splines that attaches to the shaft of the electricgenerator shaft by set screws. A hub shaft is included that extendsaxially though the hub and has a lower recess shaped and dimensioned toreceive the adaptor splines in mating engagement. A removable pininserts through aligned apertures in the hub and the hub shaft couplingthem so they rotate together.

The blades preferably attach to the hub by threaded fasteners. Thisarrangement enables replacement of damaged blades. Blades are moreeasily replaced once the assembly has been removed from the splinedadaptor and the vehicle.

The invention further includes an external wind turbine. The externalwind turbine also enables harvesting wind energy, converting it intoelectrical current to charge the battery of the vehicle while thevehicle is stationary and/or parked. To enable installation of thesecond wind turbine, the lid has an opening where the turbine shaft axis(A-A) passes through the lid.

The housing incorporates a means to seal against moisture and air leaks.The seal means may include a disk-shaped, hub grommet disposed above andcovering an upper portion of the hub. The grommet has an upstanding neckthat extends up through the opening in the lid. A washer is mounted onthe neck adjacent to an upper surface of the lid, and a cap seal mountson the neck over the washer.

The external wind turbine includes an external shaft that extends froman upper end to an opposite, lower end along an external shaft axis,which shaft is rotatable about the axis. The external shaft is“external” when installed in an operating mode on the parked vehicle.When so installed, the shaft extends upward and externally from thehousing to have only a lower end portion of the shaft extending into andinternally within the housing. The external wind turbine furtherincludes a plurality of radially or outwardly directed armscircumferentially spaced apart around the external shaft, wherein eacharm has an inner end attached to the shaft and an opposite, outer end.

For “catching” the movements of ambient wind, a turbine element such asa blade or anemometer type cup is attached to the outer end of each arm.Each turbine element or blade or cup has a concave inner surface and aconvex outer surface that have a common peripheral edge defining theopening of the cup. The opening of each cup is generally orthogonal toand directed substantially along a tangent to the rotational path of thecups moving with the arms about the external shaft axis. The cups arepositioned in an orientation to rotate about the external shaft axis anddefine a circular path during rotation.

The number of arms and cups is variable, but well-known in the art is athree armed variation, wherein each cup and respective arm are spacedapart at 120° intervals about the shaft axis. Thus, the external windturbine resembles a cup anemometer in appearance and mechanicalfunction.

The invention further includes means to couple the lower end of theexternal shaft to the hub for co-rotation therewith while maintainingthe external shaft in coaxial alignment with the turbine shaft axis. Ina first embodiment, the means to couple the external shaft to the hub isaccomplished as follows. An upper end portion of the hub shaft has acylindrical, upper recess that extends downward along the turbine shaftaxis from the upper end of the hub shaft to a bottom end of the lowerrecess of the hub shaft.

The upper recess is defined by an upper recess wall that is dimensionedto receive in surrounding engagement a lower end portion of the externalshaft. The upper recess wall has a pair of grooved pathways or keywaysdisposed at diametrically opposite locations on the recess wall. Eachpathway or keyway includes, sequentially, a first leg that extends fromthe upper end of the hub shaft toward the bottom end of the recess. Asecond leg is included and extends through a circumferential arc normalto the turbine shaft axis. Also included is a third leg extending inreverse and part way back toward the upper end of the hub shaft 70,thereby forming a blind end of the pathway.

A pair of oppositely-disposed, oppositely-directed or extending ears orkeys are attached to, and extend away from the lower end portion of theexternal shaft, which ears or keys are shaped and dimensioned to bereceived in sliding engagement within the grooved pathways or keyways. Adisk-shaped buffer plate is disposed within the upper recessintermediate and between the bottom end and the grooved pathwaysthereof.

The buffer plate is dimensioned for sliding engagement with an innersurface of the upper recess wall and along the turbine shaft axis. Aspring is disposed between and intermediate to the bottom wall of theupper recess and the buffer plate. The spring urges the buffer plateaway from the bottom end of the recess and toward the grooved pathways.

To install the external wind turbine on a parked, all-electric, orhybrid electric vehicle, it will be used with the internal wind turbineremaining in place mounted on the roof exterior and with the lid loweredand locked. A lower end of the external shaft of the external windturbine is inserted down through the opening of the lid, and aligned tobe coaxial with the internal wind turbine shaft axis. Duringinstallation, the ears or keys of the external wind turbine are alignedwith the first legs of the grooves or keyways.

The external wind turbine shaft is pressed downward against the bufferplate as the keys or ears slide down through the first legs of thekeyways or grooves, thereby compressing the spring. The external shaftis then partially rotated about the turbine shaft axis to twist and movethe ears into and through the second legs of the grooves. Next, theexternal shaft is partially retracted so that the ears or keys slide upthe third legs, to lodge the keys or ears within the blind ends of thegrooves or keyways. To dismount the external wind turbine from thevehicle, this process is reversed.

In a second, alternative embodiment of the invention, the coupling ofthe external wind turbine shaft to the hub of the internal wind turbineis accomplished as follows. An upper end portion of the hub shaft of theinternal wind turbine is formed with an upper recess extending downwardalong the internal wind turbine shaft axis, between (10 the upper end ofthe hub shaft and (2) a bottom end of the recess. The upper recess isdefined by the upper recess wall, which is shaped and dimensioned sothat it can receive and surroundingly engage the lower end portion ofthe external shaft.

One or more ball-and-spring assemblies are attached to an inner surfaceof the recess within an alcove thereof. Each ball-and-spring assemblycomprises a spring having a first end attached to the upper recess walland a second, opposite end to which is attached a ball, such that theball is movable between an extended, recess-occluding position and aretracted, non-occluding position within the alcove.

The lower end portion of the external shaft has at least one beveledindent that is shaped and dimensioned to receive in sliding engagementthe ball of the ball-and-spring assembly, thereby causing, as theexternal shaft is moved into the upper recess, the following sequence ofevents: sliding engagement with the balls, progressive compression ofthe springs, retraction of the balls into the respective alcoves, andthen capture of the balls within the beveled indent of the externalshaft. Accordingly, downward movement of a lower end of the externalshaft along the turbine shaft axis will seat the external shaft forco-rotation with the hub. Conversely, a forceful yank upwards on theexternal shaft de-couples the shaft from the upper recess to enableremoval of the external wind turbine from the vehicle when not needed,and for storage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front, perspective view of an electric vehicle such as anall-electric motor vehicle equipped with a roof mounted wind turbinesystem configured for charging the electric storage battery of thevehicle from a wind stream moving about the roof while the vehicle is inmotion and/or when still at times when wind blows;

FIG. 2 a top, perspective view of the wind turbine system of FIG. 1,with a lid removed from the system for illustration purposes;

FIG. 3 is a front, perspective view of the wind turbine system of FIG. 1showing the lid being hinged about the system, and being positionedpartially raised to show blades of a turbine blade assembly;

FIG. 4 is a rear, elevational view of the system of FIG. 1 with the lidin closed a position;

FIG. 5 is a front, perspective view thereof of the system of thepreceding figures, with an external wind turbine mounted to the vehiclefor charging an electric storage battery of the system while the vehicleis parked;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, exploded, perspective side view of the system ofthe preceding figures, showing an internal wind turbine assembly of thesystem;

FIG. 7 is an exploded, perspective side view of the system of thepreceding figures, and illustrating a turbine hub assembly and an upperend portion of an electric generator shaft having a lower splinedadaptor;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, side elevational view of the hub assembly of FIG.7, showing a hub shaft, which extends along the axis A-A (FIG. 7) of thehub and which protrudes above the hub. Also depicted are the turbineblades installed into radially-directed collars;

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-section view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8,with various structure removed for illustration purposes;

FIG. 10 is a perspective, side view of a single turbine blade of FIGS.7, 8, and 9 with various structure removed for clarity of illustration,showing the blade inserted into the collar, and having a pair of weightsattached to an upstream, concave side of a blade at the tip end thereof;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, perspective, side view of the hub shaft of FIGS.6, 7, 8, and 9, wherein an upper end portion of the hub shaft has acylindrical, upper recess dimensioned to receive a lower end portion ofthe external shaft of the external wind turbine of FIG. 5 in positionprior to installation;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged, vertical, cross-sectional view of the lower endportion of the external turbine shaft of FIGS. 5 and 11 afterinstallation, and showing an opening in the lid;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged, perspective, side view of an alternative hubshaft of FIGS. 5, 11, & 12 shown in position prior to installation;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged, cross-section of the assembly of FIG. 13 showingthe alternative hub shaft after installation;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged, top plan view with various structure removed forclarity, and showing the external wind turbine of FIGS. 5, 11, 12, 13, &14 during operation;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of the wind turbine system ofFIG. 2, with various additional components of the system depicted forillustration purposes; and

FIG. 16A is an enlarged view with certain structure removed, of the windturbine system of FIG. 16, with certain components schematicallyillustrated; and

FIG. 17 is a side view of a single turbine blade of FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and10 with various additional elements depicted for further illustration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, the internal wind turbine 10 ofthe present invention is shown mounted to the roof 14 of an all-electricor hybrid motor vehicle 12. The motor vehicle depicted is a 2-doorsedan, but the invention can be installed on the roof of other types ofmotor vehicles, such as hybrid and all-electric 4-door sedans,roadsters, vans, pickup trucks, utility vehicles, and other types ofvehicles. A wind turbine is contemplated that is installed either asoriginal equipment by the vehicle manufacturer, or as an after-marketaddition, or as a combination thereof.

Although not depicted in the drawings, it will be understood that thevehicle 12 is equipped with one or more electric storage batteries thatprovide electric power to various components of the vehicle, includingone or more drive motors that are in driving engagement with the wheels18 of the vehicle when the vehicle is being driven.

Prior to installation of the internal wind turbine 10 on the roof 14 ofthe vehicle 12, a vertical through-hole 16 may be formed or drilledthrough the roof 14 as may be seen in FIGS. 6, 12, and 14, forconfigurations where the turbine drives generator or other componentsinside the vehicle 12. The internal wind turbine 10 is enclosed in ahousing 20, which includes a bottom panel 22 extending longitudinallyfrom a front end 22F to an opposite, rear end 22R, and which alsoextends laterally between a first side 26 and an opposite, second side28. The bottom panel 22 may be an independent component or may also bethe roof 14 of the vehicle.

For ease of installation, and improved operational efficiency andaesthetic appearance, and specifically to minimize wind resistance andnoise during operation when the vehicle is being driven, when used, thebottom panel 22 is preferably dimensioned and contoured to closelyoverlie an exterior surface of at least a portion of the vehicle roof 14that includes the through-hole 16. More preferably, the bottom panel 22is formed to be adjustably conformal to the vehicle roof 14 to minimizeany leading edge gaps between the bottom panel 22 and the roof 14. Inother variations, the bottom panel 22 is not used, and instead thevehicle roof 14 serves as the bottom panel 22. For purposes of example,the gap between the bottom panel 22 and the leading edge and exteriorsurface of the roof 14 preferably should be kept to less than about 5mm. Alternatively, no gap is present when the vehicle roof 14 is used asthe bottom panel 22.

With reference also now specifically to FIGS. 2 and 6, the bottom panel22 is depicted being formed with or the vehicle roof 14 is defined tohave a centrally disposed area of generally flat, upper surface 30. Forapplications where the turbine 10 drives components inside the vehicle12, the upper surface may include and define a vertically-directed,shaft opening 32 extending through the bottom panel 22 to an opposite,lower surface of the bottom panel 22, and or through the roof 14. Afront end 22F of the bottom panel 22 or the vehicle roof 14 defines anair inlet opening 34, which is positioned to enable air to enter theinternal wind turbine 10 while the vehicle 12 is in forward motion.

The vehicle roof 14 or the bottom panel 22 also includes an air outletopening 36 defined by a rear end 22R of the bottom panel 22 or thevehicle roof 14, which enables air to exit the internal wind turbine 10.An air flow corridor 38 is formed about the vehicle roof or the bottompanel 22 and extends between and joins the air inlet opening 34 with theair outlet opening 36.

FIG. 2 shows the air flow 38 corridor further including an entrywayportion 38E in communication with the air inlet opening 34, a dischargeportion 38D in communication with the air outlet opening 36, and acentral portion 38C in communication with the entryway 38E and discharge38D portions. The entryway portion 38E is preferably contoured tochannel or conduct air flowing into the inlet opening 34 toward thesecond side 28 of the bottom panel 22.

The central portion 38C is also contoured to conduct air from theentryway portion 38E substantially rotationally around the shaft opening32. The central portion 38C is also defined by first and second,upstanding, semicylindrical, interior walls that are laterally andgenerally symmetrically spaced apart on opposite sides of the turbineshaft axis A-A.

Although the term “semicylindrical” generally refers to a bisected halfof a cylinder, here it is intended to not be so limited and to insteaddescribe an arcuate form that can be somewhat less than a full, 180°semicircular or semicylindrical arc of the noted bisected half of acylinder. For purposes of example, the cross section of the describedcontoured central portion 38C contemplated a cross section having anarcuate form defining an arc anywhere in the range of about 120° toabout 180°. The discharge portion 38D is similarly contoured to conductair from the central portion 38C to the air outlet opening 36.

Accordingly, with the vehicle 12 in forward motion, air enters theinternal wind turbine 10 through the air flow corridor 38 and transfersits kinetic energy to rotate a turbine blade assembly 40 about theturbine shaft axis A-A (FIGS. 6 & 7) in a counterclockwise direction asthe corridor 38 is depicted in FIG. 2. The internal wind turbine 10 maybe further adapted wherein the air flow corridor 38 further includes atongue 38T (FIG. 2) that extends laterally from a first pivot mount 81(FIG. 6) partially across and above the front end 22F of the bottompanel 22, thereby further defining the air inlet opening 34.

With this arrangement, the tongue 38T deflects the oncoming flow of airaway from the first side 26 and toward the second side 28 of the bottompanel 22. This in turn further improves the directional control of theair flowing through the internal wind turbine 10, which is intended toimprove the energy transfer from the moving air to the turbine bladeassembly 40.

Referring now also to FIGS. 6-12, the configuration of the turbine bladeassembly 40 can be understood to be disposed within the central portion38C of the air flow corridor 38. The turbine blade assembly 40 includesa hub 42 that rotates about turbine shaft axis A-A, and which extendsaxially along the axis A-A between a first, lower end 42L and a second,upper end 42U thereof.

A plurality of turbine blades 44 is distributed about the periphery ofthe hub 42 and extend radially away from the hub 42 generally normal tothe turbine shaft axis A-A. The hub 42 has a collar 41 for each blade44, disposed within an opening in the hub 42, which collar 41 may bewelded or press fit within the hub opening.

A first end of each blade 44 is attached by threaded fasteners 45 (e.g.,hex-head bolts) to a collar 41 and has an opposite, tip end 46.Preferably, each blade tip 46 is weighted as, for example as shown inFIG. 10, by one or two weights, which can be beads of metal 47 welded toan upstream, concave side of the blade tip. Preferably, each blade tipincludes weights amounting to approximately at least 10% the weight ofthe entire blade 44, the weight being selected to optimize therotational balance and/or the angular momentum of the turbine bladeassembly 40. A damaged blade 44 may be removed for replacement byloosening its threaded fasteners 45 and removing the blade from itscollar 41.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the internal wind turbine 10 is furtherdepicted to include an electric generator 48, an attachment assembly 50for attaching the electric generator 48 anywhere about the wind turbineassembly 10, including for example: (a) within or about the air flowcorridor 38, and (b) to an inside surface of the roof 14 of the vehicle12, and means 52 (FIGS. 6 & 7, described in more detail below) forcoupling a shaft 54 of the electric generator 48 to the hub 42. Althoughthe phrase “electric generator 48” is used throughout this description,the electric generator 48 may be any one or more electricity generatingdevices and components, which can include without limitation and forpurposes of example, one or more magneto assemblies, an alternatingcurrent (AC) alternator, a direct current generator or dynamo, andrelated components and combinations thereof.

The means 50 for attaching the electric generator 48 about the air flowcorridor 38 and/or to the inside surface of the roof 14 can be any ofvarious means known to persons of ordinary skill in the art ofinstallation of motor vehicle electrical components, such as the pair ofbrackets 56 and the threaded fasteners 58 depicted in FIG. 6. Tominimize the exterior profile of the wind turbine assembly 10 and thereduction of headroom space inside the passenger compartment of thevehicle 12, the electric generator 48 should be compact and have apancake-style or narrow side profile. Alternatively, the electricgenerator 48 may be carried exterior to the vehicle and within theenclosure of internal wind turbine 10, as described in more detailelsewhere herein. The exteriorly mounted electric generator 48arrangement eliminates the need for creating a through bore in the roof14.

The means 52 (FIGS. 6 & 7) for coupling the shaft 54 of the electricgenerator 48 to the hub 42 are preferably attached to the shaft 54 torotate about the turbine shaft axis A-A. The means 52 includes, asillustrated in FIG. 7, an adaptor 60 that is attachable to the generatorshaft 54 by, for example, set screws 62 that screw into threadedapertures in the adaptor 60.

The adaptor 60 includes a plurality of radially-directed splines orvanes 60S circumferentially spaced apart about the adaptor. Athroughbore 60B is included to have a diameter dimensioned to receivethe generator shaft 54. Although the adaptor 60 depicted in FIG. 7 hasfour splines 60S, the number of splines may also vary from one to 12 oras otherwise needed. The hub 42 has an axial throughbore 42B thatextends from the lower end 42L to the upper end 42U thereof.

A hub shaft 70 having an external diameter somewhat less than theinternal diameter of the throughbore 42B is slidably insertable into andout of the throughbore. Optionally, when fully inserted into thethroughbore 42B of the hub 42, the hub shaft 70 may have an upper endportion 74 that protrudes above the upper end 42U of the hub 42, asdepicted in FIG. 6. This protrusion is limited to prevent interferencewith lowering the lid 80 to a fully closed and locked position.

A lower end portion of the hub shaft 70 includes a lower recess 72(shown as hidden lines with phantom outline in FIG. 7), which is shapedand dimensioned to receive in mating engagement the splines 60S of theadaptor 60. When the splines 60S of the adaptor 60 are inserted withinthe lower recess 72 of the hub shaft 70, the generator shaft 54 iscoupled for co-rotation with the hub shaft 70.

A pin 76 is insertable through a horizontal aperture 78 in the hub shaft70 as well as through a co-aligned aperture 73 in hub 42 near the upperend 42U of the hub 42. So long as the pin 76 is so inserted through boththe hub 42 and the hub shaft 70, the generator shaft 54, adaptor 60, hubshaft 70 and hub 42 are mechanically coupled and will rotate as oneabout the turbine shaft axis A-A.

Moreover, in the event the vehicle 12 is jostled traversing unevenground, the pin 76 prevents relative vertical movement between the hub42 and the hub shaft 70. By raising or removing the lid 80 andwithdrawing the pin 76 from the hub 42 and hub shaft 70, the hub 42 andattached blades 44 can be lifted up and away from the adaptor 60 and hubshaft 70. This configuration enables replacement of a damaged blade 44and/or cleaning the housing 20 of accumulated dirt and debris.

To minimize the friction of rotation of the turbine blade assembly 40and to support the axial load thereof, a concentric pair of ball bearingraces 33 containing a plurality of ball bearings (not shown) areinterposed between the lower end 42L of the hub 42 and the upper surface30 of the bottom plate 22. Being centered on the turbine shaft axis A-A,the ball bearing races 33 are attached to the upper surface 30. Thelower end 42L of the hub 42 rests on the ball bearings 33, as shown inFIG. 6. The internal wind turbine 10 further includes a lid 80 thatextends longitudinally from a front end 80F to an opposite rear end 80R.The lid 80 is shaped and dimensioned to cover the entirety of thehousing 20. The housing 20 has a pair of laterally spaced-apart,upstanding, apertured, pivot mounts 81 attached to the bottom panel 22,at or near a front end 22F of the panel. A front end 80F of the lid 80has a laterally-directed, pin-receiving aperture 85, which is pivotallyattached to the pivot mounts 81 by a pair of pivot pins 83 that insertinto the apertures. This enables the lid to pivot between a lowered,housing-covering position (FIG. 1) and a raised, open position (FIG. 3).

To facilitate repair and maintenance of the internal wind turbine 10,the pivot pins 83 can be withdrawn from the pivot mounts 81, whichpermits removing the lid 80 entirely from the housing 20. The lid 80 hasan opening 82 aligned with the turbine shaft axis A-A when the lid is inthe lowered position. In the lowered position, the lid 80, incombination with the corridor 38, bottom panel 22 and seal means 90,forms a closed compartment surrounding the turbine blade assembly 40.

Referring to FIG. 6, the seal means 90 for sealing the housing 20against moisture and air leaks includes hub grommet 92 such as a ringwasher. The grommet 92 is joined to an upstanding, hollow, cylindrical,neck or tube that extends up through the opening 82 in the lid 80. Theneck portion of the hub grommet 92 extends above the upper surface ofthe lid 80 by, for example, 3 to 10 mm. A removable cap 96 is includedand has a downward-directed hollow, cylindrical neck or tube mounts onthat upper, extended neck portion of the hub grommet 92.

Preferably, the seal means 90 further includes an annular washer 97 thatalso mounts on the neck portion of the hub grommet 92 between the uppersurface of the lid 80 and the cap 96. The seal means 90 will ordinarilyremain in place attached to the lid 80 while the lid is being pivoted upand down between its lowered and raised positions.

When the vehicle 12 is parked with the lid in lowered position, and itis desired to use wind energy to charge the electric storage battery,the cap 96 is removed and an external shaft 202 of an external, secondwind turbine 200 is inserted through the lid opening 82 and hub grommet92. The lid opening 82 and the hub grommet 92 are dimensioned to receivethe external shaft 202. The hub grommet 92, cap 96 and annular washer 97may preferably be formed from butyl rubber, pliable silicone materials,or any other suitably flexible material.

The internal wind turbine 10 also has lid locking means, denotedgenerally by the numeral 100, comprising a laterally spaced apart pairof upper half clasps 102 that attach by hinges to the rear end 80R ofthe lid 80 and a mating, laterally spaced apart pair of half clasps 104that attach to a rear portion of the vehicle 12 by threaded fasteners106, for example, to a rear portion 14R of the roof 14 thereof. Any of avariety of kinds of mating pairs of half clasps can be used for thispurpose, for example, the mating pairs of half clasps on steamer trunksas well the mating pairs of half clasps on mechanics' tool boxes.

For converting ambient wind energy into electrical current to charge theelectric storage battery of a hybrid and/or all-electric vehicle 12while the vehicle is parked, the invention further includes an external,second wind turbine 200 (FIGS. 5 & 15). The external, second windturbine 200 may be stored in the trunk 13 or other secure locationwithin the vehicle 12 until needed.

As may be seen in FIGS. 5 and 15, the external wind turbine 200 includesan external shaft 202 that extends from an upper end 202U to anopposite, lower end 202L along an external shaft rotation axis. Theexternal wind turbine 200 further includes a plurality ofradially-directed arms 204 circumferentially spaced apart around theupper end 202U of the external shaft 202. Each arm 204 has an inner end2041 attached to the external shaft 202 and an opposite, outer end 204J.For catching ambient wind currents, a cup 206 is attached to an outerend 204J of each arm 204.

Each cup 206 has a concave inner surface 208 (shown in FIG. 5, and asdashed lines in FIG. 15) and a convex outer surface 210 that meet at theopening 212 of the cup. The opening 212 of each cup 206 is directedessentially along the tangent to the rotational path (arrows, 232) ofthe cups about an external shaft axis (co-linear with turbine shaft axisA-A), and all the cups are oriented in the same rotational sense aboutthe external shaft axis, as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 5 & 15.

The number of arms and cups is variable, but three of each, which may bespaced apart at 120-degree intervals about the external shaft axis is apreferred number. Thus, the external wind turbine 200 resembles a cupanemometer in appearance and mechanical function. Cups 206 are used inthe external wind turbine instead of turbine blades as a better way toharness the energy in ambient, variable, low velocity winds while thevehicle 12 is parked.

The external wind turbine 200 includes means to couple a lower endportion 202L of the external shaft 202 to the hub 42 while maintainingthe external shaft in coaxial alignment with the turbine shaft axis A-A.To that end, an upper end portion 70U of the hub shaft 70 has a recesswall 230W that defines a cylindrical recess 230, which extends downwardalong the turbine shaft axis A-A from the upper end of the hub shaft toa bottom end 230B of the recess.

The recess 230 is shaped and dimensioned to receive the cylindrical,lower end portion 202L of the external shaft 202 when the shaft isinserted through the opening 82 of the lid 80. In a first embodiment ofthe invention, the recess wall 230W has a pair of grooved pathways 270disposed at diametrically opposite locations on the recess wall.

As depicted in FIGS. 11 and 12, each pathway 270 includes a first leg270A that extends from the upper end of the hub shaft 70 toward thebottom end 230B of the recess 230. A second leg 270B is also includedthat extends through a circumferential arc normal to the turbine shaftaxis A-A. Next, an included third leg 270C extends reversely part wayback toward the upper end of the hub shaft 70, thereby forming a blindend of the pathway 270.

Attached to the lower end portion 202L of the external shaft 202 are apair of oppositely-disposed, oppositely-directed ears 220. The ears 220are shaped and dimensioned to be received in sliding engagement withinthe grooved pathways 270 when the lower end portion 202L of the externalshaft is inserted into the recess 230.

Preferably, a lower end portion 202L of the external shaft 202 iscoupled to the hub 42 and further includes a disk-shaped, buffer plate260 disposed near the bottom end 230B of the recess 230. The diameter ofthe buffer plate 260 is slightly less than the internal diameter of therecess 230 so that the buffer plate 260 can slide axially up and downalong the recess wall 230W. A spring 262 (e.g., a coil spring) urges thebuffer plate 260 axially upwards towards the pathways 270, and ispositioned between the buffer plate 260 and the recess bottom 230B.

To couple the external shaft 202 to the hub shaft 70, the lower endportion 202L of the external shaft is inserted through the opening 82 oflowered lid 80. Next, the ears 220 are aligned with the first legs 270Aof the pathways 270. The shaft 202 is then pressed down against thebuffer plate 260 as the ears slide down along the first legs 270A (arrow240A), thereby compressing the spring 262.

The external shaft 202 is then rotated about the turbine shaft axis A-Ato slide the ears 220 through the circumferential legs 270B (arrow240B). Lastly, the external shaft 202 is retracted axially to permit theears 220 to slide along legs 270C (arrow 240C) and lodge in the blindends of the pathways 270. The spring 262 helps to keep the ears 220firmly within the blind ends of the pathways 270.

For this to work properly, the distance H between the ears 220 and thelower end of the external shaft 202 needs to be about equal to thedistance between the buffer plate 260 and the blind ends of the pathways270 when the external shaft is coupled to the hub shaft. In other words,when the spring 262 is at least partially decompressed to urge thebuffer plate 260 against the ears 220, which urges and lodges the ears220 into the blind ends of the pathways 270. To uncouple the externalshaft 202 from the hub shaft 70, this process is simply reversed.

In a second, alternative arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, thehub shaft 70 likewise has an axially-directed, cylindrical recess 230that extends from the upper end of the hub shaft to a bottom end 2308 ofthe recess. The recess is dimensioned to receive in surroundingengagement a lower end portion 202L of the external shaft 202.

As depicted in FIGS. 13 and 14, an oppositely-disposed pair ofball-and-spring assemblies, denoted generally by the numeral 250, isattached to the recess wall 230W. Each such assembly 250 comprises aspring 254 having a first end attached to an alcove 256 in the recesswall 230W and an opposite end attached to a ball 252. For each assembly250, when its spring 254 is uncompressed, its ball 252 extends at leastpart way out of the alcove 256 and partially occludes the recess 230.

A lower end portion 202L of the external shaft 202 has a pair ofoppositely-disposed, notched indents 258. Each indent 258 comprises anupper, inwardly beveled edge surface that is joined to a lower,outwardly beveled edge surface. The distance H′ between the bottom 202Bof the external shaft 202 and the indents 258 corresponds to thedistance H′ between the recess bottom 230B and the ball-and-springassemblies 250.

Accordingly, to couple the external shaft 202 to the hub shaft 70, withthe vehicle 12 parked and the lid 80 in lowered position, the cap 96 isremoved and the lower end portion 202L of the external shaft is passedthrough the lid opening 82 and into the hub shaft recess 230. Initially,downward movement of the external shaft 202 forces the balls 252 intothe alcoves 256 and the springs 254 are compressed; but, upon arrival ofthe indents 258 at the alcoves 256, the balls, under the urging of thesprings 254, move into the indents.

Thus, to operate properly, the alcoves 256 need to be large enough toaccommodate both the balls 252 and the springs 254. To uncouple theexternal shaft 202 from the hub shaft 70, the external shaft is graspedand yanked upward, thereby sliding the lower beveled surfaces of theindents 258 past the balls 252, forcing the balls back into the alcovesuntil the external shaft has been fully raised above them, after whichthe balls once again extend from the alcoves out into the recess.Although only a single pair of indents 258 and a single pair ofball-and-spring assemblies 250 have been illustrated and described,additional pairs of each for coupling the external shaft 202 to the hubshaft 70 are within the scope and intent of the present invention.

Thus, it should be evident that a system for harnessing wind energy tocharge an electric storage battery of any type of vehicle, including anall-electric motor vehicle has been shown and described in sufficientdetail to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice theinvention. Although not illustrated and described above, it will beunderstood that practicing the invention requires routing electricalcables from electrical output terminals of the generator 48 through thevehicle 12 to its electrical storage battery and charging system.

With continuing reference to the various figures, and now alsospecifically to FIGS. 16 and 17, other types of electric generators aredepicted in other configurations to include one or more or at least onealternator, dynamo, and or magneto arranged about the wind turbine 10.In FIG. 16, a generator 300 is shown as a pancake style or thin profilegenerator or alternator that is positioned as part of and or within thehub 42. In this variation, the generator 300 is part of and or coupledto the hub 42 and may include gearing mechanisms to adjust therotational speed of the generator 300 to accommodate various rotationalspeeds of the coupled turbine assembly 40 of the internal wind turbine10, as well as the external turbine 200.

FIG. 16 also depicts magnetos and or magneto assemblies 310 arrangedabout the central portion 38C in close proximity to the interiorlyrotatable blade tips 46 of the turbine blades 44. With reference nowalso to FIG. 17, one or more or each of the blade tips 46 may furthermodified to include magnetic elements 320 that generate a dynamicmagnetic flux relative to the magnetos or magneto assemblies 310 duringrotation of the blade tips 46. In further alternative configurations,the beads of metal 47 may be replaced with and or incorporate magneticelements 330. In variations of the magnetic elements 320, double polemagnets may be utilized wherein a leading edge and a trailing edge ofthe magnetic elements 320 are opposite poles.

In another arrangement, one blade tip 46 may have a single pole magneticelement 320 and a subsequent or trailing blade tip 46 that followsduring rotation may have a magnetic element 320 of an opposite pole, toestablish a pattern of alternating opposite poles from one blade tip 46to the next. The pattern of alternating pole magnetic elements 320 inthe blade tips 46 may be, for purposes of illustration, every otherblade tip 46, or may skip one or more blade tips such as every second orthird blade tip 46 and so on. The pattern may be optimized according tothe selected size of the internal wind turbine 10 and the blades 44, andthe selected performance of the magnetos and or magneto assemblies 310.

During rotation of the blade tips 46 in any of these configurations ofsingle, double, and alternating pole magnetic elements 320 in the bladetips, the changing magnetic flux fields enable operation of the magnetosor magnetos assemblies 310. The various arrangements of the generator300 may include one or more or all such contemplated along or incombinations wherein the generator, alternator, and or magneto andmagneto assemblies can be used to generator generate power duringrotation of the internal and external wind turbines 10, 200.

Since various modifications in detail, materials, arrangements of parts,and equivalents thereof, are within the spirit of the invention hereindisclosed and described, the scope of the invention should be limitedsolely by the scope of the appended patent claims.

I claim:
 1. A system for charging an electric storage battery of a motorvehicle, comprising: an internal wind turbine mountable to the roof ofthe vehicle and contained within a housing formed from a closeable lidand at least one of (a) a bottom panel and (b) a roof of a motorvehicle; an air flow corridor formed within the housing to communicateair between an air inlet opening in the front of the housing, through acentral portion, and an air outlet opening in the rear of the housing,the air flow corridor having an entryway portion in communication withthe air inlet opening, wherein the entryway portion is contoured toconduct air entering the inlet opening toward the central portion whichis further contoured to conduct air rotationally around the internalwind turbine; a turbine blade assembly having turbine blades withweighted tips, the assembly disposed within the central portion of theair corridor and operative to rotate in response to air moving throughthe central portion; an electric generator coupled to the turbine bladeassembly to generate electricity during rotation, the electric generatorselected from one or more of: (a) a magneto assembly, (b) an alternator,and a dynamo; the turbine blade assembly including a hub that houses theelectric generator that includes at least one of the alternator anddynamo, and which (a) extends axially along a turbine shaft axis from afirst, lower end to a second, upper end thereof and (b) is rotatableabout the axis; and the turbine blades being a plurality of turbineblades distributed about the periphery of the hub and extending radiallyaway from the hub substantially normal to the axis, wherein each bladeof the plurality has a weighted, blade tip; and wherein the electricgenerator is the one or more magneto assemblies each having an inductioncoil and core incorporated on interior walls of the central portion andone or more permanent magnetic portions arranged on the weighted, bladetips to move proximate the induction coil and core during rotation ofthe blade tips.
 2. The system according to claim 1, and furthercomprising: the air flow corridor being attached to one of the roof andthe bottom panel and having a discharge portion in communication withthe air outlet opening, the entryway and discharge portions also incommunication through the central portion.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein each respective blade tip comprises approximately at least 10%of the entire weight of each blade.
 4. The system of claim 1, whereineach blade comprises metal and the weighted, blade tip thereof comprisesa metal bead welded to a tip end of the blade.
 5. The system accordingto claim 1, and further comprising: the lid extending longitudinallyfrom a front end to an opposite rear end; the front end of the lidpivotally attached to a front portion of the housing and being pivotablebetween lowered and raised positions; wherein when in the loweredposition the lid in combination with the corridor and bottom panel,forms a closed compartment substantially surrounding the turbine bladeassembly; and locking means attachable to a rear end of the lid forsecuring the lid in the lowered position and releasing the lid forrepositioning to the raised position.
 6. The system according to claim1, and further comprising: the air flow corridor being attached to thebottom panel and the discharge portion being contoured to conduct airwithin the central portion to the air outlet opening.
 7. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the central portion of the air flow corridor includesfirst and second, upstanding, semicylindrical, interior walls that arelaterally and substantially symmetrically spaced apart on opposite sidesof the turbine shaft axis.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the airflow corridor further includes a tongue extending laterally from andfurther defining the air inlet opening to deflect air into rotationalmotion about the wind turbine assembly.
 9. An electric storage batterycharging system for a motor vehicle, comprising: an internal windturbine mountable to a roof of the vehicle and contained within ahousing formed from a closeable lid and bottom panel, wherein the bottompanel is releasably attachable to a roof of the motor vehicle; an airflow corridor formed within the housing to communicate air between anair inlet opening in the front of the housing and an air outlet openingin the rear of the housing, the air flow corridor having an entrywayportion in communication with the air inlet opening, wherein theentryway portion is contoured to conduct air entering the inlet openingtoward a central portion that is further contoured to conduct airrotationally around the internal wind turbine; a turbine blade assemblyforming the internal wind turbine and having turbine blades withweighted tips, the assembly disposed within a central portion of the aircorridor and operative to rotate in response to air moving through thecentral portion; wherein the lid in combination with the corridor andbottom panel forms a closed compartment substantially surrounding theturbine blade assembly; and an electric generator coupled to the turbineblade assembly to generate electricity during rotation, the electricgenerator selected from one or more of: (a) a magneto assembly, (b) analternator, and a dynamo; and the turbine blade assembly including a hubthat houses the electric generator being at least one of the alternatorand dynamo, and which extends axially along a turbine shaft axis from afirst, lower end to a second, upper end thereof and is rotatable aboutthe axis; the turbine blades being a plurality of turbine bladesdistributed about the periphery of the hub and extending radially awayfrom the hub substantially normal to the axis; and wherein the electricgenerator also includes the one or more magneto assemblies each havingan induction coil and core incorporated on interior walls of the centralportion and one or more permanent magnetic portions arranged on theweighted, blade tips to move proximate the induction coil and coreduring rotation of the blade tips.
 10. The system of claim 9, andfurther comprising: the turbine blade assembly including a hub rotatableabout a turbine shaft axis and extending axially there along from afirst, lower end to a second, upper end; the lid including an openingaligned with the turbine shaft axis; and an external, second windturbine having an external shaft receivable through the lid opening andto be coupled to the second, upper end.
 11. The system of claim 10, andfurther comprising: a plurality of radially-directed armscircumferentially spaced apart around an upper portion of the externalshaft, each arm mounting a substantially concave cup.
 12. The system ofclaim 10, and further comprising: the second, upper end defining arecess wall defining a cylindrical recess sized to receive the externalshaft.
 13. The system of claim 12, and further comprising: the recesswall formed with a pair of grooved pathways disposed at diametricallyopposite locations on the recess wall, and each pathway including first,second, and third legs, each leg extending in different directions; theexternal shaft having a lower end portion carrying a pair ofoppositely-disposed, oppositely-directed ears, each ear being shaped anddimensioned to be received in sliding engagement within the groovedpathways; and whereby the external shaft is engageably and releasablyreceived within the second, upper end by being insertable and rotatablewhereby the ears are moved within and about the differently directedgrooved pathways.